Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

2
WHAT’S NEW
we wonder, “Don’t they ever have too
many?” Apparently not.
You won’t be seeing anything apart
from cranes and construction sites
until late 2003, when the Weston Spa
Resort will open on the site of the former,
and not a bit missed, Maxim
Hotel. Mandalay Bay and Venetian
will both open large new expansions
around that same time, with Bellagio
following suit in 2004. You will have
to wait until 2005 for a new hotel, but
it should be worth that wait because
it’s coming from Steve Wynn, the man
responsible for modern-day themeintensive
Vegas. Wynn Las Vegas
(originally named Le Reve, but the
new one fits so much better!), planned
as really tall resort towers, complete
with a man-made 150-foot-tall mountain
in front, will occupy the place of
the demolished Desert Inn.
Or you can watch with us as the
relatively new Aladdin climbs out of
its even newer bankruptcy with the
help of a new owner, Planet Hollywood.
Watch as the Middle East
theme is swiftly replaced by Hollywood
memorabilia, and that big globe
of theirs goes up on the Strip. Or
observe the changes to the Golden
Nugget in Downtown now that it has
been unloaded by MGM MIRAGE.
This is a town full of self-styled
luxury resorts, but the only place with
a real claim to such a title is a 30-
minute drive away. The brand-new
Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas, is set
right on the lake itself, with a dazzling
view of the water and mountains.
Add to that the kind of service that
made the company’s name famous—
big rooms and lush baths, and a huge
list of amenities and recreation activities—and
we forget all about the siren
lure of the Strip.
Of course, there remain the rumors
about still more Titan-sized theme
hotels, these paying neon-bedecked
homage to San Francisco, London,
and water in general. The good news,
of course, is that Vegas isn’t the same
without such fabulous monsters,
though we are equally pleased with
talk of a boutique hotel, perhaps a W
or something like it, going up next to
the Frontier. (Which may happen
sooner than you think: There’s gossip
that the Venetian is partnering with
Brad Pitt and George Clooney to
build a boutique hotel on the Strip—
over a Walgreen’s drugstore, no less.)
For complete details on the lodging
scene in Las Vegas, see chapter 5.
DINING If you love sandwiches,
then let me put you on to Canter’s,
the popular Los Angeles Jewish deli
that just opened a branch at TI (formerly
Treasure Island) at the Mirage.
Famous for their sourdough rye, piled
high with pastrami, corned beef, or
whatever, they’ve also got a lox plate,
soups including matzo ball and the
“famous” barley bean, and New York
cheesecake. For now Canter’s is in a
temporary space in the casino race
book, but a new 125-seat restaurant
should be ready by the end of the year.
But don’t wait: Call me now and I’ll
join you for a nosh.
For more dining options in Las
Vegas, see chapter 6.
ABOUT CASINO GAMBLING
There is a big change quietly happening
all over town—and actually, the key
word here is “quiet.” Like us, perhaps
you thrill to that distinct sound of coins
dropping, clinkclinkclinkclinkclink, as
you cash out on your slot (or poker)
machine. That sound will always be
with us, but very soon it’s just going to
be a programmed audio track, because
all the major casinos (and maybe all
of them, period) are changing their
machines over to a cashless system,
wherein the payouts will come in the
form of printed slips you take to
exchange at the cages. Gambling will
never be the same again.
For tips on maximizing your wins
and choosing a casino, see chapter 8.